Barcelona

Lionel Messi beat Manchester City all by himself with a hat trick

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:34 p.m. ET

Alex Dowd

Lionel Messi hadn't started a match in nearly a month since suiting up in the starting XI for Barcelona on Wednesday, but you'd never have guessed that was the case. After about a half-hour run out in Barcelona's La Liga win against Deportivo La Coruna, Messi entered the Champions League clash against Manchester City fit and in playing shape.

And if there was ever any doubt that he was ready, he tore apart the Premier League title-hopefuls with a classic Messi hat trick. The first was a gift from City.

When Nicolas Otamendi let Messi cruise by with the indifference that most housecats show to human beings, we all knew Messi was in for a big day.

Messi's second of the day tied him with Real Madrid legend Raul for the most all-time Champions League goals scored at home with 49. Of course, Messi's never been one for sharing, especially when it comes to Real Madrid.

That goal gave him his hat trick, as well as his 50th UCL goal at home for sole possession of the record. Cristiano Ronaldo is nipping at his heels, though, with 48 goals in home matches.

It surely didn't help matters that Manchester City went down to 10 men after a hare-brained howler from Claudio Bravo, but Messi and Barcelona had a field day against their former manager in Pep Guardiola.

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